Nanofibrous Conductive Binders Based on DNA-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes for Lithium Battery Electrodes

Abstract

Summary In contrast to enormous progresses in electrode active materials, little attention has been paid to electrode sheets despite their crucial influence on practical battery performances. Here, as a facile strategy to address this issue, we demonstrate nanofibrous conductive electrode binders based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) (denoted as DNA@SWCNT). DNA@SWCNT binder allows the removal of conventional polymeric binders and carbon powder additives in electrodes. As a proof of concept, high-capacity overlithiated layered oxide (OLO) is chosen as a model electrode active material. Driven by nanofibrous structure and DNA-mediated chemical functionalities, the DNA@SWCNT binder enables improvements in the redox reaction kinetics, adhesion with metallic foil current collectors, and chelation of heavy metal ions dissolved from OLO. The resulting OLO cathode exhibits a fast charging capability (relative capacity ratio after 15 min [versus 10 h] of charging = 83%), long cyclability (capacity retention = 98% after 700 cycles), and thermal stability.

Nanotube Functionalization: Investigation, Methods and Demonstrated Applications

“…To act as a shRNA delivery vehicle, a modified branched polyethylenimine was grafted to carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) using a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker [ 140 ]. CNTs functionalized with DNA were shown to have enhanced stability when used in different applications [ 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 ]. Similar to proteins, DNA form tight helices around CNTs, or non-covalent conjugates.…”